Air Force-Navy Game Breakdown

The Midshipmen have enjoyed success running the ball against the Falcons in years they have consistently gained yardage with the fullback dive. That makes the matchup between Navy center Parker Wade and Air Force nose guards Cody Gessler and Mosese Fifita very important. It's incumbent on the center to get movement at the point of attack in order to get the fullback going. Wade, the smallest member of Navy's offensive line, could not control the nose guard in last year's game against Air Force. The 280-pounder added weight and strength during the off-season specifically for this matchup. Gessler (5-11, 263) is actually smaller than Wade, but plays with good leverage. The Falcons may use Fifita (6-1, 320) a bit more in hopes of overpowering the opposing center. Slotbacks Malcolm Perry and Darryl Bonner are two of Navy's most dangerous weapons and it is imperative to make Air Force respect the inside running game in order to prevent linebackers and safeties from flowing outside to take away the pitch.

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Air Force Key: Display balance and diversity on offense

There is something not quite right with the Air Force offense, which is averaging only 293 total yards against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents. The Falcons piled up 424 rushing yards against overmatched VMI, but has been held to 293 or less in the three games since. Air Force has been very ineffective throwing the ball with starting quarterback Arion Worthman completing just 19 of 41 passes. The Falcons also have not been very balanced with Worthman (93), tailback Tim McVey (42) and fullback Parker Wilson (34) getting an inordinate number of carries. The Falcons must prove they can complete passes downfield in order to prevent the Mids from loading up to stop the run. The Falcons also must prove they have more weapons than the starting quarterback, fullback and tailback.

Series History: Air Force leads 20-20, but Navy has won 10 of the last 14 meetings.

Of Note: Navy quarterback Zach Abey has rushed for 100 yards or more in each of the last five games dating back to the 2016 Armed Forces Bowl. If Navy can accomplish the feat against Air Force, he would join two of Navy's greatest tailbacks with six straight 100-yard rushing games. Quarterbacks Brian Madden and Will Worth hold the school record with seven consecutive games with at least 100 yards rushing.

* Malcolm Perry is the first Navy slotback to rush for 100 yards or more in consecutive games since Shun White in 2009.

* Navy is one of 17 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision that has not suffered a loss this season.

* The Midshipmen have scored just 11 times in 16 trips into the red zone this season – missing two field goals, having one field goal blocked and tossing an interception. The Mids rank 119th out of 129 FBS schools in red zone efficiency.

* Navy has been whistled for 50 yards or more in penalties in back-to-back games for the first time since 2009. The Mids committed nine penalties totaling 83 yards last Saturday at Tulsa. That is the highest number of penalties and yards during the 10-year tenure of head coach Ken Niumatalolo.

* Air Force has blocked 33 kicks during the 11-year tenure of head coach Troy Calhoun.

Quote-Unquote: "I think we're all excited. The whole Brigade is into this game. At the same time, we're just trying to focus on our preparation. One thing Coach (Ivin) Jasper told me while we were walking off the field at Tulsa was to not make this game any bigger than what it is. At the end of the day it's just another football game. I'm just going to go out there and do what I do and our whole team just has to play Navy football. That has to be the mindset."

-- Navy quarterback Zach Abey

"Darryl Bonner addressed the team the other day and he said all the players that were out in Colorado last year know what it feels like to lose to Air Force and we don't want to feel that way again, especially on our home turf. We have a lot of motivation. We want that Commander-in-Chief's Trophy back."

"We've got to beat Navy. There's no question. This game is our season. It's our Super Bowl. It's a must-win. It starts with one win. Hopefully it turns into two and turns into 10. We've just got to get one first and get on the winning track next week."